Making a Steam Power Hammer! Part 1

[@MILFSLAYER6969]

You and Will really must love dropping power hammers

[@urishima]

Oh god, I remember. Honestly, that's still upsetting even after all this time.

[@DTOM76]

I was hoping for a quick flashback

[@MrJACarroll]

At least Alec got it out of the way now nice and early rather than waiting until he’d finished it!

[@neileddy6159]

Still too soon

[@Volt64bolt]

Too soon too soon..

[@awildschuetz1]

That drawing is a work of art! Frame that to put on the wall beside the final power hammer!

[@JSmith19858]

Stuart drawings are some of the worst I've ever used. Crowded and often full of errors, especially the feed pump.

[@sjv6598]

@@JSmith19858 one tiny misprint of a number in mine.

[@martylawson1638]

You can also braze cast iron. Fireball Tool has a few videos showing this as he repairs a few old vices.

[@jasonmackey161]

Brazing would be a nice way to finish that fix!

[@zachaliles]

The funny thing is fireball tool did a video on fixing an anvil with Will Stelter who used to work with him. So it's funny you mentioned him.

[@Rsama60]

You beat me to the response, braze it.

[@twostroke350]

A big ugly clag of braze is exactly how they would have fixed their real steam hammer when they did that to it.

[@saigyl9149]

brazing with brass is the best way to do it, but if you don't have an acetylene setup then the affordable way is JB weld

[@stuartpollock84]

Watching this as a draughtsman it all looks so straight forward and it's fun seeing how others interpret these types of drawings 😅

[@bendunk2102]

I was really startled that Will didn't know how to read tapped holes on a drawing lol. he knows so much more than me in so many ways

[@blackoak4978]

Blacksmithing is an art, machining is a science. He's a blacksmith who's wondered into the periphery of machining from time to time. Makes me think of Martin from Wintergaten actually. Anyway, he's going to have to think completely differently than. Usual to get through this project

[@cambridgemart2075]

As an engineer, I was struggling to understand why he was having problems interpreting that drawing. The fact that he had no idea what a BA thread was makes me feel very old!

[@BryceKimball7.3]

Seen a few others mention brazing, but that’s 100% what you should do to repair the casting. A good braze bond with be stronger than the cast iron itself. My grandfather and I brazed a lot of cast iron in the oilfield, always worked well. We used the same borax you use for flux for forge welding and it works perfectly.

[@dr._.baldwyn]

I absolutely cant wait for the 30 part series on this, i absolutely love the long series you do! Additionally, this project might just be a good justification to get a fractal vise to clamp it down to the mill nicely

[@MrTaz0079]

Why stop at 30... make it at least 60 then just throw it in the sea...

[@dr._.baldwyn]

@MrTaz0079 you have a point, I recon at like ep 20 they will realize they did something horribly wrong on like episode 2 and have to start again

[@Pugjamin]

This smells of project binky!

[@florentbled4697]

The fractal vise idea immediately came to my mind too!

[@quinn860]

Just commented about a fractal vise then i seen your comment, lol

[@proscriptus]

My disappointment that Alec isn't going to spend the next two years creating a fully functional 20-ton steam hammer is immense.

[@at_3831]

Na he buys a 1914 steam hammer and does a complete restoration over a 16 part series that has us all glued to a screen watching……

[@alexparadi522]

I've been watching you for billion years. And while I still love the early sword-making era the best, I think this project has potential. Because the best part of your channel has always been overcoming errors and puzzling your way through problems. The combination of you sharing your thought process in problem solving combined with the resiliency to keep at it despite restarts and re-dos, is what's drawn me to your channel - and I think there will be many opportunities for that with this project. Now get back to more forging :p

[@mihacurk]

That’s right! Less yack yack, more whack whack!

[@ethanjones6766]

If this works you should make a full sized one, love seeing you cast stuff in the shop

[@NotMyActualName_]

Hell yeah. Watching a full sized power hammer build would be incredible. Sadly I think it's outside the scale of his workshop. You need massive ovens and sand casting equipment to melt, pour and cast that much steel. I'm not sure it's possible to make a power hammer without casting. At least not a strong one

[@jeanladoire4141]

I don't think alec has the equipment, scale and knowledge to make such huge castings. A blacksmith isn't a foundry worker!

[@davidvalenzuela3144]

Yea no lol he’s gonna struggle with building a model you think he can make a full scale one I mean let’s be real . I mean I’m sure he can do it. But highly doubtful he will and don’t blame him

[@CoalCoalJames]

@@jeanladoire4141 Yea I second that, best for him to do a whole series learning to cast large objects first.

[@FellowHuman18]

When I saw the title of the video I assumed he was making a full-size one

[@wyattcheatle7876]

8:25 word of advice for if you have to do something like that again. Stick a gauge pin in the hole and edge find off it, go in the direction of the pin the distance of the radius of the edge finder plus the radius of the gauge pin. After that you’ll be on center of the hole and you can go the distance needed and have the hole be in the right location. It may not look aesthetically centered but it should be in the right place. Another word of advice is KZbinr by the name of Joe Pie who has made a couple of these kits already from PM Research, give it a look and it might help with figuring out how to fixture some of the awkward castings.

[@FlipAndLand]

I was thinking the same thing when he was explaining what he had to do. I instinctively imagined the simple process in my head. Then he said he was going to eye ball it and it sent a shiver down my spine.

[@AlecSteele]

Awesome idea thank you!

[@TaranTatsuuchi]

That was the 2nd most heart wrenching power hammer drop on the channel!

[@joekessinger731]

One of the reasons I have been watching Alex for all these years is that he never tries to hide his mistakes or acts like they never happen, His taking the time to show how his fixes these hiccups, is so much of a true learning experience that I never plan to stop watching, just wish there was more content and Damascus lol.

[@streetfighter1966]

You wouldn't go far wrong watching a few of the scale model videos Joe Pie has done, You will learn quite a lot from them for this project.

[@RobertEchten]

Also Blondiehacks. Quin has done quite a few machining cast pieces videos (creating reference surfaces, fixturing, etc.)

[@jofay4958]

Seconded. Joe Pie does a lot of describing the work holding

[@keithgutshall9559]

Keith Appleton might have some info about ba taps and dies.he build a lot model steam engine I the UK

[@MichaelPhillips-ld6mh]

Man, it's crazy to see what you are doing now. I used to watch you when you had 100k subs, and then I got busy in life. Now you are testing your builds in caves with 2.43 million. As a fellow craftsman, I applaud you and appreciate you for bringing the joy of building things from the ground up to such a large audience. Keep doing your part in keeping the craftsman skills alive!

[@McNasty43]

If I still had access to a machine shop, I would absolutely LOVE to build one of these. I made a steam locomotive years ago and it was an absolute BLAST.

[@kenwalker5384]

Stuart used to make fully machined kits as well, back in the '70s, I don't know if they still do, but I'd be surprised if they didn't.

[@matttaylor7102]

I’m an ex aircraft engineer and those drawings with old British unit threads brought back memories. I wouldn’t have worked on a single casting first though. I would have machined all the castings to the finished state before drilling and tapping. That would help to get your eye in on the final construction.

[@woogywips]

This is nuts! Maybe for all your work-holding needs, you should get a fractal vise? Can't wait to watch you put all this together and then maybe give mini-forging another go!

[@squamatoo]

The transition between laugh and trumpet at 3:50 is brilliant

[@grahamshellswell4513]

It’s super interesting to see those hobby style drawings. You’re right about the tapped hole representation in a side-on view. Two lines which represent the minor and major diameters of the threaded hole. It can get really confusing though when lots of hidden lines overlap. I tend not to bother with displaying hidden geometry in all but the simplest of components. Instead I’d opt for a section or detail view for clarity. I guess their ‘all components detailed on the one sheet’ approach can’t really spare the room though. Give me a shout if you come across anything you’re not sure about. I’d be delighted to help.

[@bethconner5419]

This style of drawing as actually pretty accurate to vintage drawings of different types of steam engine. Our operating manual at work looks exactly like this, shown as blown out pieces so you know what is doing what and how it all goes together. Though our engine and boiler is a touch bigger. They're awesome though and help you figure out the path of the steam and where everything goes. They're wonderful.

[@SgtStinger]

Reading proper manufacturing drawings is a great skill to have.

[@markfergerson2145]

I’ve been watching Blondiehacks build a model steam locomotive which, when finished, will make 100 psi steam. While it’s mostly silver soldered brass and copper, many parts are cast iron with considerable machining required. From watching her work, I’d say that you’re absolutely right that fixturing is make or break with cast iron. You don’t seem to have nearly enough parallels, shims and clamps so far. You said that you love learning new things. Completing this project will be one of the highest points in your life, then.

[@tahrasantini1671]

Hey there, I’m a Sheetmetal girl from Canada 🇨🇦! Your video on heat treatment helped me pass my first term of school🤙🙏🏼 May I come work/learn with you for a week in the new year ?!

[@justinwilson4454]

Woohoo 30 part series!!!!! It’s been awhile lol!!!!

[@carolbuzelim]

You know what i love the most about your insane projects? Doesnt matter how many times you fail you acomplish it and thats why im your fan. Lets go to a new 3 or 70 parts series

[@cavidkerimov3957]

Hello from Azerbaijan Alec, great video. I would love to see you build a fractal vise and i think it can help to clamp odd shaped parts

[@Knapp-n-Schlappi]

Fractal vise would be awesome! Thats a great idea!!!

[@mrfochs]

I love that Alec says "I love instructions" and then immediately decides to start with the body - which is clearly marked as #17 on the instructions.

[@Alex_whatever]

After watching Quinn on the Blondihacks channel work on several machining projects like this, it is interesting to see Alec's approach and seeing the difference due to the different skill sets.

[@Dr.Cosmar]

Freedom units are nice, thanks for plugging. For whatever reason I have always had better luck doing anything with freedom units over metric. It's like 1/4inch just has more leeway for being "Wrong" than 4mms

[@dylanstorts4327]

After this project, I would really like to see you do another project like the Viking sword... and I think I speak for the people when I ask this. Honestly I would find it super entertaining and interesting to see you do a project like that, with all the different disciplines like the wire inlays or setting stones, or Damascus. Remember damascus Alec? I remember years ago when you were a fanatic about making all things damascus. Now I can't even remember the last time you did a damascus project start to finish. Please, I'd love to see a long sword project again. And Jamie, don't forget to leave in the struggles of Alec remember how to do things with the skills he has probably let dull.

[@buggsy5]

Silver wire inlays are easy. I don't recall ever seeing an authentic viking sword with inset stones, but I have not seen pictures of all of them.

[@dylanstorts4327]

@@buggsy5 inset stones isn't "viking" but Alec was super into it when he was in the stars and even took some classes. But for the life of me I can't remember what it was called. I just wanna see it again, it was so fun!

[@leftseatmcgee5002]

Nifty little model project! I've always wanted to scale down a functional little giant hammer. Cause why not? Fantastic work on that repair! I was going to suggest leaving it broken and trying to add further distress to the rest of the hammer. Worn paint, chipped edges here and there. I bet you could still seal up that little crack and paint right over it and not notice the difference! Great work!

[@derekbushey595]

It looks like an awesome little project , good that you have a shop full of all the tools that you need to get it done.😎👍

[@buggsy5]

Imagine how much harder it would be if he did not have nice toys like the CNC machine to do much of his measuring/centering for him. 😄

[@iiOverLord]

Absolutely love you and Jamie working together sit's beautiful and so glad you guys got back together after Alec came back from Montana. you guys work so well together

[@jacobstevens6286]

I’m looking forward to this series but I think larger episodes maybe 20-30 mins could be good!

[@Nyli.]

Yes!

[@dwee44]

as a young mecanical engineer i find this kind of project so amazing, it teaches you how to read a mechanical plan, apply tools to make it, etc. Kinda like a very big and painful Lego set

[@quantumfluxuation]

I really hope in the future we get longer episodes or maybe twice a week uploads. The editing and content lately has been too good.

[@jonblair5470]

Why don’t you just replace the screws with standard sizes? You can use the tap and die sets you already own.

[@jameslovelace8828]

I like that you add in all the mental frustrations. Very relatable!

[@Biodoc100]

You had me at "30 part series"

[@NotMyActualName_]

For the first piece

[@BBlueBBasterd]

I sure hope you love this project a lot because you know for a fact that the moment you are done with this thing, everyone is going to want a DIY scaled-up version.

[@wyattkindler496]

Just imagine the machining of the full size hammers in the 1800s 👀

[@unicyclingistheshit]

exactly what I was thinking, those guys were on another level!

[@JamesYoung61]

Brilliant project I am really looking forward to seeing how you tackle each of these challenges. As an apprentice we were given raw castings like that and only hand tools to make it (5x3 right angle fixture and a 9x9 surface plate), files and scrapers, it made you appreciate the mills, shapers and surface grinders. Learning fixturing of raw castings is almost an art in of itself, I would have machined the base first because it is stiffer than the head.

[@dustyedmonds8170]

I just found this power hammer build series. I wish I were there building that with you. I own a hydraulic repair shop/ machine shop, and am a blacksmith inthusiest. I would love to do a project like that

[@lewissteam]

Amazing to see a Stuart product featured. I have an early 1928 Stuart P4 stationary engine awaiting restoration along with some of their smaller steam engines.

[@seanryder5450]

I just started my apprenticeship for tool and die making in august, and so far I’ve made tons of tools and learned a lot, so this is gonna be really interesting and fun to watch. Don’t forget measure twice cut once😂 it may seem so simple but really is a lifesaver I’ve caught so many errors as I’m still learning

[@JustaMuteCat]

Jamie's face at 2:56 is priceless. That look of disbelief and resignation when staring Alec right in the eye as if saying "you mentioned riveting content, but doing actual rivets would take less time and money than this."

[@davidraats4153]

Dude I am 100%invested in watching you finish this mini power hammer! I absolutely love this kind of thing!! Please continue uploading!

[@phanorkner]

I like the repair. It gives it some character.

[@DaxHewitt]

Have a go at metal stitching to fix the break. Back in the day we had loads of cast iron repaired using that method.

[@Baxteen1]

I'm here for this series. Looks fun

[@GymGirl88]

I am legit obsessed with this project

[@joepie221]

I like you even more. @ 5:45 you had the same reaction I always have when I have to touch anything metric. Love it.

[@davidbales8053]

Joe Pie is a great reference for tooling fixtures btw, and into these scale models recently.

[@Jimhernandez9998]

Alec! Dashed lines represent a line you can't see from that view. At 3:25 the drawing is showing you two small holes boring in towards the center hole of this piece. Now at 3:30 when you say "one line" it's not one line, it's just paired with the other dashed line, it's a big hole. This is the side view of the center hole from the drawing next to it. Notice the dimension is between the dashed lines, indicating the hole is 3/16" . Hope this helps!

[@joepie221]

You're going to enjoy building this. I just finished the Vertical D10 from Stuart on my channel. I'll also enjoy watching. Good luck sir.

[@avoirdupois1]

This is going to be a great project. I'm looking forwards to seeing Alec puzzle out the drawing, and I'll learn something too.

[@dr_robot9881]

Always enjoy a good miniaturised machine kit. So much work goes into making these little kits and there so cool.

[@noahlopez9190]

This is the coolest series on youtube, please do not stop.

[@Tubajock2]

welding cast iron: preheat in oven, keep oven on, weld with Nickle rod in short sections allowing heat to dissipate between tacks to keep the expansion of material minimal and even, put back in oven, turn oven off and let cool till room temp. iv done this several times on antique stationary engines.

[@quinn860]

Wbat about making a fractal machine vise for holding odd shaped parts, would be an interesting series and a very useful tool.

[@feelthepayne88]

Yes, in my experience, two sets of dashed lines represent a threaded hole (major and minor diameters represented) and one set of dashes lines represents a through hole.

[@MrFoxCallum]

BA is a British Association thread. It's a thread form from before British Standard Whitworth. The threads are 47.5° as opposed to metric or UNF/C at 60°. Also the root and crown of the threads are rounded unlike modern metric or imperial thread forms.

[@unicyclingistheshit]

Any idea why the company would have decided to use BA threaded hardware as opposed to standard or metric? Simply for authenticity sake? Or is there an engineering benefit to using the BA thread form?

[@williampratt1066]

@@unicyclingistheshit basically the kit was probably designed over 50 years ago for model engineers in The uk who tended to use BA threads as they were specifically formulated for small instruments and machinery

[@MrFoxCallum]

@@unicyclingistheshit BA is for smaller items, instruments (microscopes, clocks, etc.). The largest BA thread, 0BA is nominally the same size as an M6 and they only get smaller from there. Alot of model engineers in the UK still use the BA threads in their creations.

[@brianvos2151]

Alec, you are absolutely correct, the double dashed line denotes that it is a tapped hole

[@bramweinreder2346]

That's a really neat project :) if I was into metal working, I'd do this as a hobby. I imagine half the world would just flatten the faces on an abrasive belt and call it square enough, leave a bit of give in the moving parts and trust on gaskets for their seals.

[@starbomber]

Oh gosh it has been not since high school that I've seen a mechanical drawing on this level of detail. Being a mechanic for so long I mostly touch *finished* components these days.

[@dannycrooks8462]

A teacher in my school used to make scale steam and stationery engines from scratch he didn't use any plans we all thought he used plans and he made one in school during some classes it was amazing to watch I have photos of some of the engines somewhere

[@MrKaremoller]

Yes to multipart series!!

[@edwardbarrett5691]

Glad I’m not the only one that always hits the full stop instead of the spacebar

[@Vikingwerk]

For work holding, Mill yourself a block of aluminum square and true, then tap holes to match the ones in your parts, and bolt the work piece to your new fixture block that is a known solid square. A few machinist jacks to stabilize, and you should be able to clamp and support your pieces nicely.

[@sally6457]

I'm only 3 minutes into this video, and it's the best 3 minutes of content you've posted for a long time in my opinion, probably since you built your own bike. (I stillI really enjoy every video you done). What a project, I'm already wondering if a small hobby mill/lathe combo would be able to do this?? 🤞 I've fortunately got alot of my grandads BA tools.

[@clivelee4279]

Well done Alec , a proper taste of fitting and turning .

[@brookead]

Even without sound you can still tell an Alec video. Precision Machining. The act of tilting the head to the side, squinting and moving controls around a lot before drilling a hole not really through the middle of the thing you were drilling. :)

[@troywalker8078]

I'm excited to finally see a 27 part series!!

[@xtremenothin]

Super excited for this! As a recently graduated engineer with an interest in blacksmithing/machining it's so cool to see you as a blacksmith/machinist figure out engineering stuff, we're flipped! BTW, you can always put this project on ice for a week and do a fun timed challenge if it becomes too repetitive after ep23 :)

[@DBlakeney29]

You should make a can opener. But do one for a few different versions. It would be cool to see you forge and machine through the different eras.

[@Ty-bz7zx]

2BA is what tungsten darts use for the tip-to-barrel & shaft-to-barrel connections.

[@dillpickle7633]

This is helping to feed my steam / engine obession :)

[@woofy1988]

3:48 I love how it's Jamie who's overthinking the task this time 🤣

[@timoheikkinen9557]

Ngl I was expecting you to build a full sized steam power hammer, but I honestly think it's more fun to see a teeny tiny power hammer.

[@sethpfister7612]

Might I say that the lamp adds a very nice warm tone

[@michaelstevens8624]

3:51 *flips piece* "Like that, Jamie..." The pain in Alec's voice 😄

[@Ladyoftheroundtable]

For work hold, copper wire is also a good option. Soft enough to take up the gaps in the cast surface, and also acts like wire in a machinist vice Also, pretty sure you can braise cast iron.

[@CraigRichmond-l6i]

I actually liked this one, shows you making mistakes and overcoming them. this is AWSOME!!!

[@ElkayEQ]

WHAT??? Come on young man! STEAM POWERED HAMMER????? The last 5 years have been lovely to watch. Well done!

[@inventiveowl395]

I hope you're doing the same as with the anglepoise lamp - i.e. taking every single piece and scaling it up as you go :D

[@willboudon7023]

My dad would absolutely love this project

[@Daniel-uj1nu]

Woah! That repair looks amazing!

[@adamaberle9820]

Alec!!! You NEED a fractal vice!! It is designed to hold awkward cast iron pieces.

[@abeaver707]

Looking forward to seeing the next few episodes. I can’t lie though; I want to see you smith something. I like seeing you become a better machinist but you are already a bad ass smith, I’d like to see that too.

[@MrCamTuber]

Seeing you drop that piece took me back to a few months ago when I had a wooden pickguard I made of expensive gaboon ebony that I was carrying to the piece for final fitting when I dropped it and it broke directly in half. It’s on the piece but the glue never took…I know your pain

[@Reneous97]

Would've loved to see Jamie make this as a challenge for him and Alec is only there to watch and only help when he truly is stuck

[@pero2727]

Brone braze for cast iron repair. Looks excellent too. Just like japanese Kintsugi broken ceramics repair with gold.

[@SedgeSFH]

I bloody love power hammers I do. Well excited for this series. Bring on part 2!

[@Fiery25123]

As a model builder, this has me right excited!!

[@musicalcomputernerd6474]

I can’t be the only person subscribed who wants to hang out with Alec, Jamie and Will right?

[@lukecarlson6791]

I think a fractal vice could help with a lot of your clamping problems. Expensive and hard to find but pretty cool tool.

[@robinmartin4464]

Good Luck Alec! We are pulling for you.

[@bytesizedengineering]

I was waiting for the clip of Will dropping his power hammer! But since yours is a scaled down model, you would need to play back Will yelling at 5x speed making it sound like a small chipmunk.

[@thomasaam]

Suggestion for a future project - Make a fractal vise. To hold all of your oddly shaped pieces. Great job!

[@Artoniz88]

That repair at the end was my favorite part. Weld-one✌️🥳

[@tomasn3]

The repair was really nice!